A monopoly (monos = "one" + polein = "to sell") is a single entity that controls a product's market, whereas an oligopoly (oligoi = "few" + polein = "to sell") is a small number of entities that produce the same or similar products, whose actions mutually influence each other.

Intel produces microprocessors, flash memory, motherboard chipsets, network interface cards, and bluetooth chipsets. It also has a long history as a producer of semiconductors. It competes with different companies in each of these fields, so its status depends on which product you're talking about. We typically think of them as a producer of CPUs for home computers, and in that respect their only real competition in this country is AMD. So, in that sense you could think of them as a duopoly, a sort of tiny oligopoly. When it comes to their other fields, they aren't nearly as powerful.

-Cognoscente

This site, and the opinions and statements contained herein, do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or policies of Brigham Young University, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or any of their affiliates.
Brigham Young University — Contact Us